{"id":104155,"date":"2025-07-22T05:15:00","date_gmt":"2025-07-21T23:45:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/?p=104155"},"modified":"2025-07-22T03:45:09","modified_gmt":"2025-07-21T22:15:09","slug":"travel-to-the-us-gets-50-costlier","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/index.php\/2025\/07\/22\/travel-to-the-us-gets-50-costlier\/","title":{"rendered":"Travel to Largest Economy in the World Gets 50% Costlier"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

WASHINGTON, D.C.<\/strong> The United States (US)<\/a> is doubling the cost of its Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) fee for travelers from Visa Waiver Program (VWP) countries, including the UK (LHR), Germany (FRA), Japan (NRT), and Australia (SYD). The new fee jumps from $21 to $40, impacting millions entering through key airports like New York (JFK)<\/a> and Los Angeles (LAX).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Simultaneously, federal funding for Brand USA, the agency tasked with marketing the U.S. to international tourists, is being slashed by 80%. Combined with the fee increase, these changes signal a shift in U.S. tourism policy priorities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Travel
Photo: Canva<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

New ESTA Fees and Policy Shifts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, the ESTA fee\u2014required for nationals from 42 countries visiting the U.S. without a visa\u2014is increasing from $21 to $40<\/strong>. This fee structure funds both travel authorization processing and broader U.S. government purposes:<\/p>\n\n\n\n